journal article·2026-12-31Open access

The Potential of Flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.) in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Farmland: A Review

Kang Qing Hua, Qiu Cai Sheng, Sun Zhong Yi, Song Xi Xia, Long Song Hua, Zhu Xuan, Yao Dan Dan, Zhao Xin Lin, Chen Xiao Yan, Jiang Wei Dong, Wu Zhi Min, Qiu Hua Jiao, Wang Yu Fu

Journal of Natural Fibers· Volume 23· Issue 1

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in farmland has become a major environmental issue threatening sustainable development of global agriculture and human health. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) shows great potential in the phytoremediation of farmland contaminated by heavy metals. This paper systematically summarizes that flax has strong tolerance and enrichment capacity for various heavy metals, and elaborates on the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying heavy metal tolerance of flax, specifically including: cell wall cross-linking, protoplast detoxification, vacuolar compartmentalization, the response of enzyme systems to oxidative stress, and the activation of the phenylpropane pathway. It also summarizes the technical approaches to improve the remediation efficiency of flax through regulators, microorganisms, and water-fertilizer management. Meanwhile, it analyzes the remediation effect of flax on farmland with different pollution levels. This paper focuses on exploring the utilization directions of flax biomass resources harvested from contaminated farmland, covering fields such as composite materials, biochar, building materials, and sewage treatment materials, thereby providing solutions to avoid secondary pollution caused by biomass. Flax can realize the “synchronous remediation and utilization” of heavy metal-contaminated farmland and is a remediation crop with broad application prospects. In the future, its remediation efficiency will be further improved through variety breeding and new technologies development.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance · Heavy metals in environment · Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, China

Institute of Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Agricultural Science Extension Research Institute

Funding

China Agriculture Research Syste · Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province · Collaborative Innovation and Promotion System of Bast Fiber Crops

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